Thursday, June 16, 2016

The 19th Century Defines Modern American Society

Today's American society is defined by technology,
consumerism, and modernism; however, the current state of this country stands
as it is today largely due to the effects of the 19th century. Inventions that resulted from industrialization paved
the way for many of the commodities that we consider commonplace. Romanticism encouraged
many of the religious beliefs found among US citizens today.

Without the 19th century, I feel confident saying
that we as US citizens would not enjoy many of the comforts that we do today.

Inventions and
Industrialization

The Industrial Revolution encouraged many people to move to
urban areas in order to support the factories and manufacturing facilities that
became influential during the 19th century. Although working
conditions were definitely not optimal during this time period, many modern day
manufacturing ideas took root during these years.

Individuals also took industrialization into their own
hands. Inventions such as the cotton gin (Eli Whitney), sewing machines (Walter
Hunt), the combine (Hiram Moore), and Morse code (Alfred Vail and Samuel Morse)
were invented by individuals, and went on to change the world shortly after
their invention [2].

Romanticism also played an important role during the 19th
century in defining history. Romanticism led many people to question their
religious beliefs and develop their own personal religious beliefs. One
prevalent example of a romantic author still used to teach children about
romanticism in high schools is Thoreau. In his works such as Walden, Thoreau teaches about how he finds
signs of the divine and messages of growth in nature and the wilderness [4].

Other ideas typical of romanticism include the importance of
the sublime, the reality of inspiration, and the importance of music and
non-organized religious experiences. In modern religious society, all of these
ideals are essential to having a firmly rooted faith in the divine.

Events of the 19th
Century

Many of the events that took place during the 19th
century define the US as it stands today. For example, the Civil War, which
took place between 1861 and 1865, changed the US from a country divided by
slavery into a country focused on reform and unity. The Trail of Tears and the Manifest
Destiny (the belief that it was the American Dream to own land in the west)
helped to shape the boundaries of the country as lives were lost and futures
created in the pursuit of the American Dream [6].

American society today is defined by the events of its past.
Industrialization and invention, romanticism, and the major events of the 19th
century has defined the USA and the culture of its citizens in the modern day,
and without the 19th century, we would not live in a country as
beautiful and developed as it is today.